This blog is intended to aid in a Christian observance of the Lenten season. Coming in the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays) these are days that are lived in the shadow of the cross and (counting Sundays) in light of the resurrection. The blog will consist of a series of meditations, prayer prompts, and ideas for a deep participation in the season.

While the popular observance of Lent has focused on giving up something for Lent, on sacrifice, Lent is more than that. Worshippers on Ash Wednesday are admonished to join in Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving (or charity, acts of love) in this season. In my Lutheran tradition we have often focused on prayer by joining in worship midweek. This blog invites you to go all in as you observe Lent.

The mediations offered here focus on Jesus parable in Matthew 25. IN Matthew’s gospel the parable comes just before the story of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. It is told literally in the shadow of the cross. The parable lifts up six “acts of love” that the faithful follower of Jesus almost automatically does. The follower of Jesus sees the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, imprisoned and addresses their needs. In doing so to “the least of these,” Jesus says, “you are doing it to me.”

This blog will encourage you to pray, to fast in many ways, and then to act toward those in need. In doing so we will not only follow Jesus, but also be prepared to walk the Passion road with him so that we can also experience a resurrection with him. You are invited on this journey.

The writer of this blog is J. David Bersagel, a former pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I live in Wisconsin and am a member of Journey Lutheran Church in Holmen and Onalaska.

---

Follow My Blog

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.